Posts Tagged ‘Darrelle Revis’

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Super. Bowl. Champions. At one time in Patriots history, it would have seemed impossible. During others, it was more of an expected right. Nonetheless, Tom finally got number four. And if you’re anything like me, you’re already thinking about how he will get number five.

It’s been a long difficult road since the Patriots Super Bowl 39 victory over Philadelphia. Since then, the Patriots have won more games and division championships than any other team in the league. But something was missing. Every year come the beginning of February, there was a certain agony of disbelief. (more…)

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

Nearly 40 years have passed since Bill Belichick received his economics degree from Wesleyan University. But what he learned in Middletown is still being put to use two hours northeast in Foxborough.

That was even evidenced in Indianapolis on Sunday, when the New England Patriots’ defense set foot on the Lucas Oil Stadium field to face quarterback Andrew Luck and the Colts’ high-volume passing attack.

Belichick, along with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer and safeties coach Brian Flores identified the production awaiting them. The ground game, as well as Luck’s league-leading 393 pass attempts could remain. So could the 64 catches for 799 yards combined by tight end Coby Fleener and wideout Reggie Wayne.

The 56 catches for a top-five 937 yards from T.Y. Hilton could not. (more…)

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

On the surface, Darrelle Revis did not stand apart against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. But when the five-time Pro Bowler left the New England Patriots’ secondary with four minutes left in the third, it only took one play for A.J. Green to illustrate his absence.

A crisp corner route by the 6’4”, 207-pound wideout netted a 17-yard touchdown as Revis headed to the locker room. Quarterback Andy Dalton delivered a well-placed ball, and there was little second-year cornerback Logan Ryan could do to prevent it from whistling over his shoulders.

There was little the Patriots could to prevent the difference, either.

But Revis did return to the field. He finished having played 51 defensive snaps. And he finished having played to his man-to-man strengths, holding Green to three receptions for 64 yards on seven penalty-including targets.

Monday, October 6th, 2014

The New England Patriots played with emotion and a sense of urgency Sunday night as they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 43-17. Players stepped up and rallied around quarterback Tom Brady. There were a number of areas I could have chose to highlight from this victory. Kyle Arrington for instance played aggressively – making plays on defense and returning a fumble for a touchdown on special teams. Stephen Gostkowski continued to be one the most steadfast kickers in the league, and Darrelle Revis virtually shut down AJ Green for an entire half.

Below are just a few of the bright spots I chose to examine from last night, as well as some areas where New England needs to pick up the slack if they hope to contend later this fall when their schedule beefs up.

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

They don’t award style points in the NFL. The New England Patriots’ 16-9 win over the Oakland Raiders evidenced why.

The Week 3 home opener at Gillette Stadium netted a total of 10 punts between Oakland’s Marquette King and New England’s Ryan Allen. It saw a total of six field goals between Sebastian Janikowski and Stephen Gostkowski. And by the time defensive tackle Vince Wilfork clung onto his third career interception and the Patriots clung onto the victory, every point in the game had been scored by a player whose last name ended in “-kowski.”

Neither backfield crossed the century mark in rushing. Neither passing game threw for over 235 yards. And combined, the offenses of the Patriots and Raiders converted on just one of six red-zone opportunities.

It wasn’t how it was drawn up. It was, however, more of what it has been for head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots thus far in 2014.

Upon second glance, here are seven observations from Sunday’s tilt. (more…)

Sunday, September 7th, 2014

NEPD Staff Writer: Ken Vetrano

Christmas came early this year when Lovie Smith gift wrapped #24 under the tree for Patriot fans. In the span of about 48 hours New England went from losing Aqib Talib to their main AFC competition the Denver Broncos, to signing one of the hand full of players that would be considered an upgrade to him.

Tuesday, August 19th, 2014

When John Elway and the Denver Broncos poached Aqib Talib there was a brief state of panic that struck Patriots fans. But with Bill Belichick you can always count on a contingency plan. Not only did Belichick find a way to replace Talib but he also upgraded at the cornerback position in five time Pro Bowler Darelle Revis.